scholarly journals Review, Documentation, Assessment of Treatment, and Harm Reduction Programs of Substance Use Disorder in Iranian Prisons

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-63
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bagher Saberi Zafarghandi ◽  
◽  
Sahar Eshrati ◽  
Reza Arezoomandan ◽  
Marziyeh Farnia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Violent Behaviors ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Related Harm

Objectives: This study aims to assess the implementation of drug-related harm reduction programs in Iranian prisons and suggest solutions for their improvement. Methods: This study was conducted in three steps. First, library method was used for collecting data from the central library of Iran’s Prisons, Security and Corrective Measures Organization. In the second step, performance indicators were extracted based on the results of first step and two researcher-made checklists were designed. Finally, a field visit and a semi-structured interview with the authorities involved in the treatment and harm reduction services were carried out. Results: In most of prisons, drug-related harm reduction programs were underway. Despite a lack of human resources and budget at the beginning, the quality of measures was gradually increased and the attitude of authorities was improved. Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Triangular Clinics were the most common harm reduction programs, in addition to HIV and tuberculosis screening programs in collaboration with medical sciences universities. The program continued despite the change of officials. Conclusion: Harm reduction programs are able to reduce infection diseases, self-harm and violent behaviors in prisons of Iran. Cultural programs along with other harm reduction programs, briefings and seeking support from the authorities can greatly help with continuation of the programs in prisons. By eliminating the shortage of manpower and redefining the security areas for ordinary prisoners, it will be possible to make better use of the facilities of universities and research centers.

scholarly journals Visual Disability: Causes and Implications on Patients’ Daily Living

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkabir A Ayanniyi ◽  
Christianah O Fadamiro ◽  
Fatai O Olatunji ◽  
Mustafa B Hassan ◽  
Bola J Adkoya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Educational Levels ◽  
Visually Disabled

Objective: To determine the causes and implications of visual disability (VD) on patients’ daily living. Methods: A cross section survey of 130 visually disabled (vd) Nigerians on visually related basic life activities, psychology and emotion in 2008. Both structured interview and relevant clinical examination were conducted for the vd to gather the necessary information. Results: VD was due mainly to cataract (82, 63.1%) and glaucoma (29, 22.3%). At least 78% of the causes of the VD were avoidable (treatable, curable). VD reduced/eliminated available manpower/workforce and increased the number of dependants. The most severely affected activities included driving, reading, threading a needle, but most vd could still cope with feeding and wearing of clothes. The activities missed most by the participants were appreciation of the beauty of nature, people/object recognition and reading. There was an association between the activities missed most and the vd levels of education (P=0.001) but not with gender (P=0.406). Most participants (85%) expressed sadness over VD and reported sadness had an association with educational levels (P=0.042) but not with gender (P=0.167). Though (97.7%) thought life was meaningless due to VD, all (100%) had hope in regaining normal vision. Most participants (82.3%) expressed sadness over dependence on the sighted for basic visual demanding tasks. Conclusion: Both cataract and glaucoma are leading causes of visual disability. Visual Disability diminishes quality of daily living and has economic, psychosocial and emotional implications. Renewed efforts towards preventing avoidable blindness and rehabilitating irreversibly blind will reduce the burden of vd. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i1.6842   Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 4(2013) 21-29

Unknown and Under-Researched: The Anatomy of Drinking Under Control Programs

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 277-288
Author(s):  
Harald Klingemann ◽  
Justyna Klingemann
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Mission Statements ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Admission Criteria ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Institutional Order

Abstract. Introduction: While alcohol treatment predominantly focuses on abstinence, drug treatment objectives include a variety of outcomes related to consumption and quality of life. Consequently harm reduction programs tackling psychoactive substances are well documented and accepted by practitioners, whereas harm reduction programs tackling alcohol are under-researched and met with resistance. Method: The paper is mainly based on key-person interviews with eight program providers conducted in Switzerland in 2009 and up-dated in 2015, and the analysis of reports and mission statements to establish an inventory and description of drinking under control programs (DUCPs). A recent twin program in Amsterdam and Essen was included to exemplify conditions impeding their implementation. Firstly, a typology based on the type of alcohol management, the provided support and admission criteria is developed, complemented by a detailed description of their functioning in practice. Secondly, the case studies are analyzed in terms of factors promoting and impeding the implementation of DUCPs and efforts of legitimize them and assess their success. Results: Residential and non-residential DUCPs show high diversity and pursue individualized approaches as the detailed case descriptions exemplify. Different modalities of proactively providing and including alcohol consumption are conceptualized in a wider framework of program objectives, including among others, quality of life and harm reduction. Typically DUCPs represent an effort to achieve public or institutional order. Their implementation and success are contingent upon their location, media response, type of alcohol management and the response of other substance-oriented stake holders in the treatment system. The legitimization of DUCPs is hampered by the lack of evaluation studies. DUCPs rely mostly – also because of limited resources – on rudimentary self-evaluations and attribute little importance to data collection exercises. Conclusions: Challenges for participants are underestimated and standard evaluation methodologies tend to be incompatible with the rationale and operational objectives of DUCPs. Program-sensitive multimethod approaches enabled by sufficient financing for monitoring and accompanying research is needed to improve the practice-oriented implementation of DUCPs. Barriers for these programs include assumptions that ‘alcohol-assisted’ help abandons hope for recovery and community response to DUCPs as locally unwanted institutions (‘not in my backyard’) fuelled by stigmatization.

PROFESSORS' PERCEPTION OF SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY IN THE FACULTY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUAYAQUIL

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 70-76
Author(s):  
Jorge Daher Nader ◽  
Amelia Patricia Panunzio ◽  
Marlene Hernández Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Research ◽  
Scientific Activity ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Empirical Level ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Scientific Nature ◽  
The University

Research is considered a function aimed at obtaining new knowledge and its application for the solution to problems or questions of a scientific nature, The universities framed in the fulfillment of their social function have a complex task given by training a competent professional who assumes research as part of their training and who learns to ask questions that they are able to solve through scientific research.  Scientific research is an indicator of the quality of processes in the university environment, so it must be increased by virtue of the results of the work carried out by research teachers and students the objective of this work is to know the perception of the teachers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil about the scientific activity. Objective: to know the perception of the teachers of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil about the scientific activity. Methods: theoretical and empirical level were used, a questionnaire with closed questions aimed at knowing the opinions on the research activity in this institution was applied. Result: that of the sample analyzed 309 (39.3%) said they agreed with the training for the writing of scientific articles. 38.6% said they agree with the training on research projects. Conclusion: that teacher’s research should be enhanced to ensure the formation and development of research skills in students.

Current Progress in Biomedical Applications of Chitosan-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 1619-1632
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Pieklarz ◽  
Michał Tylman ◽  
Zofia Modrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Biological Macromolecules ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
New Generation ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Dressing Materials

The currently observed development of medical science results from the constant search for innovative solutions to improve the health and quality of life of patients. Particular attention is focused on the design of a new generation of materials with a high degree of biocompatibility and tolerance towards the immune system. In addition, apart from biotolerance, it is important to ensure appropriate mechanical and technological properties of materials intended for intra-body applications. Knowledge of the above parameters becomes the basis for considerations related to the possibilities of choosing the appropriate polymer materials. The researchers' interest, as evidenced by the number of available publications, is attracted by nanobiocomposites based on chitosan and carbon nanotubes, which, due to their properties, enable integration with the tissues of the human body. Nanosystems can be used in many areas of medicine. They constitute an excellent base for use as dressing materials, as they exhibit antimicrobial properties. In addition, they can be carriers of drugs and biological macromolecules and can be used in gene therapy, tissue engineering, and construction of biosensors. For this reason, potential application areas of chitosan-carbon nanotube nanocomposites in medical sciences are presented in this publication, considering the characteristics of the system components.

Supply Chain Integration: Establish the Appropriate Challenges in Improving Integrated SC in an Innovative Approach of IBS

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ani Saifuza Abd Shukor ◽  
Muhammad Fadhil Muhammad ◽  
Shamsida Saidan Khaderi ◽  
Faridah Muhammad Halil
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Publishing House ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Project Environment ◽  
The Poor ◽  
International Publishing

The shift to an integrated IBS construction approach requires enhanced supply chain integration to improve the productivity as well as the poor quality of human behavioual aspect in IBS project. This paper is to identify the challenges at each tier between players to facilitate supply chain integration among the IBS players. Findings adopted from semi-structured interview revealed the critical attitude issues of human factors, lack of interaction and sharing knowledge between interdisciplinary people. The findings of this study is useful to improve integration of supply chain and enhance innovation and sharing interaction between players in the IBS Malaysian construction project environment.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Construction Environment; Industrialised Building System; Integration and Supply Chain 

scholarly journals The role of trans obturator tape as a surgical procedure for female stress urinary incontinence and its impact on quality of life in Jammu region

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 4975
Author(s):  
Sapna Puri ◽  
Manisha Kohli
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Incontinence ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
King’S Health Questionnaire ◽  
Promising Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

Background: Stress incontinence is one of the most common but debilitating health issue among women. It has a detrimental effect on overall health and quality of life of women. Trans obturator tape (TOT) has emerged as a promising treatment modality. The aim of present study was to assess the usefulness of TOT in terms of change in quality of life of stress incontinence patients.Methods: The study was performed at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Acharya Shri Chandler of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS), Jammu. A total of 50 symptomatic women were enrolled in the study and underwent TOT procedure using outside-in technique. The quality of life of women was assessed at enrolment and 12 months after the procedure using King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Change in QOL was assessed using paired ‘t’-test.Results: After 12 months follow-up, a total of 27 (54%) patients were entirely symptom free. As compared to pre-treatment QOL assessment on KHQ for general health/incontinence impact, quality of life and symptom scores a % decline of 73.2%, 79.8% and 78.4% was observed. For all the three parts, the change in scores was significant statistically. No other complications and side effects were reported.Conclusions: TOT is a useful procedure which provided symptomatic relief as well as QOL enhancement.

scholarly journals Understanding factors relevant to poor sleep and coping methods in people with schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Ching Chang ◽  
Megan C. Chang ◽  
Yun-Jou Chang ◽  
Ming-De Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Coping Methods

Abstract Background Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. Methods Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan. They completed a semi-structured interview and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment. The Person-Environment-Occupation model offered a framework to assess factors related to sleep. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis. Results Factors related to sleep were classified under person, environment, and occupation domains. The person domain included three subthemes: psychiatric symptoms, unpleasant emotions, and frustration about sleep. The environment domain included three subthemes: sensory intrusions from the environment, quality of bedding, and roommates. The occupation domain included sleep interruption and sleep preparation. There were notable discrepancies in sleep quality between the participants’ narratives and their PSQI global scores. Regarding coping methods for poor sleep, sleep medication was the primary strategy while some participants also used other strategies, such as modifying the environment, adjusting routines, or engaging in activities that improve sleep quality. Conclusions Psychiatric symptoms and nightmares were identified as unique sleep disruptions in people with schizophrenia, and poor economic status was also found to impact their sleep. The sleep quality of people with schizophrenia tends to be poor, as identified by the PSQI, even though they may have positive perceptions of their sleep quality. Our participants appeared to prefer to take hypnotics to address their sleep problems, which may be due to limited knowledge about alternatives. Mental health professionals are encouraged to receive training in the application of non-pharmacological approaches to support their clients’ issues related to sleep.

scholarly journals Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Violence Exerted, Received, and Perceived in Teen Dating Relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2284
Author(s):  
Cordelia Estevez-Casellas ◽  
Mª Dolores Gómez-Medina ◽  
Esther Sitges
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Violent Behavior ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dating Relationships ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Violent Behaviors ◽  
Teen Dating ◽  
The Relationship

Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in adolescence since it involves a change towards psychological, social, and sexual maturity; a stage in which the foundations of intimate social relationships are established. Emotional competences regulate the quality of these relationships in adolescence and can provide protection against or facilitate the use of violence within them. Based on the above, this study aims to analyze the relationship between emotional intelligence and violence exercised, received, and perceived by adolescents in dating relationships. A sample of 254 subjects (43.1% men and 56.9% women) between 12 and 18 years old was analyzed through the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaires of BarOn ICE:NA and Violence Exercised Perceived and Received by Adolescents VERA. The results of the research have shown that there is a significant and inverse relation between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and the violence exercised by adolescents in their dating relationships, and a positive and significant relation between emotional intelligence and the perception of violent behavior. For this reason, the importance of educating people about emotional intelligence from childhood within both the academic and family sphere is highlighted. This is fundamental to preventing the appearance of such violent behaviors and promoting an adequate adaptation to the environment.

Healthcare practitioner behaviours that influence unsafe use of hospital information systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 420-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizawati Salahuddin ◽  
Zuraini Ismail ◽  
Ummi Rabaah Hashim ◽  
Nor Haslinda Ismail ◽  
Raja Rina Raja Ikram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Hospital Information Systems ◽  
Healthcare Practitioner ◽  
Resultant Data ◽  
Quality Of Patient Care ◽  
Copy And Paste ◽  
Improve Patient

This study aims to investigate healthcare practitioner behaviour in adopting Health Information Systems which could affect patients’ safety and quality of health. A qualitative study was conducted based on a semi-structured interview protocol on 31 medical doctors in three Malaysian government hospitals implementing the Total Hospital Information Systems. The period of study was between March and May 2015. A thematic qualitative analysis was performed on the resultant data to categorize them into relevant themes. Four themes emerged as healthcare practitioners’ behaviours that influence the unsafe use of Hospital Information Systems. The themes include (1) carelessness, (2) workarounds, (3) noncompliance to procedure, and (4) copy and paste habit. By addressing these behaviours, the hospital management could further improve patient safety and the quality of patient care.

High Rate of Negative Results of Tuberculin and QuantiFERON Tests Among Individuals With a History of Positive Skin Test Results

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lloyd N. Friedman ◽  
Esther R. Nash ◽  
June Bryant ◽  
Susan Henry ◽  
Julia Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Negative Group ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Positive Results

Objectives.To evaluate individuals at high risk for tuberculosis exposure who had a history of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) result in order to determine the prevalence of unsuspected negative TST results. To confirm these findings with the QuantiFERON-TB test (QFT), an in vitro whole-blood assay that measures tuberculin-induced secretion of interferon-γ.Methods.This survey was conducted from November 2001 through December 2003 at 3 sites where TST screening is regularly done. Detailed histories and reviews of medical records were performed. TSTs were placed and read by 2 experienced healthcare workers, and blood was drawn for QFT. Any subject with a negative result of an initial TST during the study (induration diameter, <10 mm) underwent a second TST and a second QFT. The TST-negative group comprised individuals for whom both TSTs had an induration diameter of <10 mm. The confirmed-negative group comprised individuals for whom both TSTs yielded no detectable induration and results of both QFTs were negative.Results.A total of 67 immunocompetent subjects with positive results of a previous TST were enrolled in the study. Of 56 subjects who completed the TST protocol, 25 (44.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31.6%-57.6%) were TST negative (P<.001). Of 31 subjects who completed the TST protocol and the QFT protocol, 8 (25.8%; 95% CI, 10.4%-41.2%) were confirmed negative (P<.005).Conclusions.A significant proportion of subjects with positive results of a previous TST were TST negative in this study, and a subset of these were confirmed negative. These individuals' TST status may have reverted or may never have been positive. It will be important in future studies to determine whether such individuals lack immunity to tuberculosis and whether they should be considered for reentry into tuberculosis screening programs.

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